Call for Research Grant Assignment - CQC - 1230425

Universidade De Coimbra; Portugal; On-site; EUR 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

A Universidade de Coimbra abre uma bolsa de investigação no Centro de Química da UC para o desenvolvimento de um fotossensibilizador recentemente patenteado. A função envolve caracterização fotoquímica, estudos de citotoxicidade in vitro e terapias fotodinâmicas in vivo, incluindo avaliação de farmacocinética e toxicidade.

O(a) candidato(a) deverá possuir Mestrado em Química Medicinal e estar inscrito(a) num doutoramento na área de Química, com disponibilidade para trabalhar no Departamento de

Qualifications

• Mestrado reconhecido em Química Medicinal ou área afim.
• Candidato(a) inscrito(a) num doutoramento na área de Química.

Responsibilities

• Desenvolvimento de um novo fotossensibilizador para terapias de câncer fotodinâmica.
• Realizar caracterização fotoquímica, citotoxicidade in vitro e estudos in vivo com modelos animais.
• Avaliar mecanismos de morte celular e usar técnicas de microscopia confocal/fotônica.

Education

Mestrado em Química Medicinal

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade de Coimbra Department Divisão de Projetos e Atividades (Bolsas) Research Field Chemistry » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 20 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Coimbra opens a call for the assignment of a research grant, with 1 position(s), under the project UID/00313/2025, title Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC).

The call is governed by this Notice of Opening, the University of Coimbra Research Grant Regulations (RBI-UC), subsidiarily by the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology (RBI-FCT), by the Research Fellow Statute (EBI), by the Norms for Grant Assignment and Management within R&D Projects, by the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), all in their current wording, and by other applicable national and community legislation.

Procedure Reference: IT137-26-430

I.I - Grant Recipients

Master’s degree holders, in Medicinal Chemistry, enrolled in a doctoral degree, in the scientific area of Chemistry.

I.II -

Ineligible candidates:

I.III -

Eligible for grant assignment if meeting the requirements:

• a) Portuguese nationals or nationals of other EU Member States
• b) Nationals of third countries
• c) Stateless persons
• d) Beneficiaries of political refugee status

When the work plan takes place, in whole or in part, in foreign institutions, only candidates who can prove permanent and habitual residence in Portugal at the start of the grant are eligible.

II - Grant location

Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Coimbra

IV - Work Plan / Goals to be achieved

Development of a new photosensitizer for photodynamic cancer therapy, recently patented by the University of Coimbra. The studies include the photochemical characterization of the compound, in vitro phototoxicity—including the use of spheroids—and in vivo photodynamic therapy, including characterization of the tumor microenvironment in various animal models. Studies will be conducted in cell cultures to evaluate mechanisms of cell death, including the use of confocal fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution microscopy. The in vivo studies will include pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, toxicity (including phototoxicity), and conventional photodynamic therapy as well as photodynamic therapy using pulsed lasers (Flash-PDT) with ascending doses and for various time intervals between photosensitizer administration and tumor illumination. Combinations with other therapeutic agents, particularly immunotherapy, will also be evaluated.

V.I - Renewal Possibility

Possibily renewable

VI - Funding and financial conditions of the grant

VI.I - Monthly grant amount (paid by bank transfer at the end of each month)

1.359,64€

VI.II -

In addition to the above amounts, voluntary social security (SSV) is included when the grant has a duration of six months or more, corresponding to the first level, if the candidate opts for it, as well as mandatory personal accident insurance.

VI.III - Funding

The grant(s) assigned under this call will be funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), through national funds (OE), included in the FCT budget and, when eligible, co-financed by community funds, within the scope of the Research Unit UID/00313/2025 .

VI.IV - Information and publicity about the funding

All R&D activities directly or indirectly funded by the grant, namely all communications, publications and scientific creations, as well as theses, carried out with the support provided by the grant, must mention the financial support by Orçamento de Estado (OE), throught Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), with the Reference UID/00313/2025.

VII - Selection Methods: Evaluation of the academic record (AR) and Interview (I)

VII.I - AR

- In the evaluation of the academic record, the candidates' academic performance will be assessed according to the following weights and criteria:

• - Criterion 1– Specific knowledge related to the work plan
• -Criterion 2 – Academic background
• - Criterion 3 – Adequacy of the candidate’s profile to the work plan to be developed

VII.II- I –

In the evaluation of the interview, candidates' performance will be assessed according to the following weights and criteria: